A/N: More or less a dream sequence where Sesshomaru speaks to his father and receives an embrace from Izayoi.

I feel like Lord Touga's vassals have a preconceived notion of Sesshomaru as cold and won't believe he cared for his father. Well, close vassals like Myoga and Totosai. This is why they are so concerned for Inuyasha who is happily living a cushy life in a castle.

Thanks for reading!

-Lucicelo


Sesshomaru rarely dreamed.

To sleep without safeguards was grounds for an opportunistic attack on his person. A foolish move on his part. He knew better than to leave himself defenseless. The previous safety of his parents was not an available option for him. He grew past the need for their warm bodies shielding him from the outside world.

Having grown past the need to enter deep sleep to recuperate, Sesshomaru's instincts were on constant high alert. Despite outer appearances, Sesshomaru's mind was active, waiting for an opportunist to sneak up on him.

He was now Lord of the Western Lands. A mantle he worked and studied hard to handle when the inevitable of his father's passing or the title was handed to him. Sesshomaru would have preferred to receive his lordship title with his father's blessing, not at his death.

Thoughts of his father's words of encouragement would never be heard by him again. Speculation of his father's words after handing him the title was nonsensical. Almost incomprehensible to think about.

It was too late.

Besides, he couldn't predict his father's guiding words for himself. They were never the right words to bring the familiar warmness back into his chest. He remembered his father's voice, his power, and his scent, but memories didn't compare to the real person.

The late Lord of the Western Lands was not in the world of the living. He was gone forever. Sesshomaru would never exchange words with his father or receive his one armed hug with feigned indifference. To feel the rush of pride as his father spoke well of his battle prowess. This was gone forever.

Behind his cold and indifferent face, Sesshomaru grieved.

During the night, he clung onto Inuyasha's fragile body in the privacy of his bedroom. Rooms that were now his by inheritance. Remnants of his father were scattered throughout these rooms, giving him no reprieve from memories and regrets. There were instances where Sesshomaru inhaled his father's yukatas, wanting nothing more than to forget his reality. It somewhat worked, but once he left the bedroom, he went through the motions as the new Lord of the Western Lands.

He made sure no one saw him acting differently than his usual self. Bringing in Inuyasha perked up the ears of his enemies to a possible weakness. The death of his father was another notch in his impenetrable armor. Breaking down in front of the public did more harm than good.

The extent of his bond with Inuyasha was between the two of them. Saying it out loud wasn't enough to describe the protectiveness Sesshomaru developed for his brother. To claim his intentions were due to their dwindling numbers was laughable. Sesshomaru always wanted a sibling, and his preconceived notions of half demons almost cost him one.

Only two people knew of the extent of his true feelings, his mother and Takehiro. These two people were privy to Sesshomaru's inner self due to knowing him as a pup. He pretended to go on as normal, keeping his personal image of a cold and unfeeling demon.

Even if he wanted to, time did not stop for grief, he needed to establish himself in his role.

His father's mantle wouldn't wait for him to collect himself.

As a result, he overheard the comments of his callousness and lack of emotion over his late father. His father's vassals were especially mouthy in describing their grief, pushing it above their late lord's own son. As if, Sesshomaru didn't feel an inkling of affection for his father. Far from it, Sesshomaru admired him, wanting nothing more than to show how much stronger he grew to impress him.

Sesshomaru did nothing to stop the gossip from spreading.

Shutting out rumors was a small solution to a repeated action. Ever since he was an infant, rumors circulated around everything in his life. Sesshomaru was shielded from the worst of them, but he gradually started hearing them once he began growing up. He learned to intake these words and brush them off.

Reacting to these words would give pride to those who spoke those vicious words. Even if these people never drew his blood in battle, they would boast over causing the great Lord Sesshomaru to react.

Unacceptable.

Sesshomaru made sure to instill a sense of confidence in his brother. Despite his half blood status, Inuyasha outranked everyone in the Western Lands Castle. It wouldn't do for his brother to fold under someone's piercing words.

To think, he used to imagine letting these same people belittle Inuyasha and his mother had Lady Izayoi lived.

Sesshomaru shook his head at the ridiculousness of his previous thoughts.

In any case, Inuyasha learned quickly to ignore rumors to emulate his elder brother. Any attempts of Myoga and Totosai to lure Inuyasha away were for naught.


The contrast between night and day transformed the hidden garden his late father constructed for his late new wife.

There were remnants of extra amenities which stayed in the building stages. Sesshomaru ordered the gazebo to be finished, adding on a table with enough room for company. The paved path with large rocks used as steps were added for easier access to the gazebo. Benches were added in well placed areas to sit down on during the hotter stages of the summer.

So far, Inuyasha wandered around the garden, thrilled to have a place forbidden for anyone to enter. Any time between studies and training, Inuyasha was found in this garden.

Sesshomaru let him do as he wished in this garden. After all, this place would have belonged to the late Lady Izayoi. Inuyasha would have spent multiple hours behind the large hedges with protective charms to keep unwanted visitors from wandering in.

Sesshomaru kept up the maintenance through giving the job to one of the elderly demon gardeners who was set to retire. Upon hearing that he would tend to their late lord's garden, even if it was for a human woman, he jumped at the chance to keep it alive. The plants were easy to tend to and changes were sent in to Sesshomaru.

The addition of cherry blossom trees brought a pop of color to the Western Lands Castle. Those bright pink petals blew through the winds, ending in various areas of the castle. Sesshomaru ignored the rise of complaints of these obtrusive petals.

Inuyasha wanted cherry blossoms as a birthday gift.

As Sesshomaru wandered underneath the branches, he enjoyed the sense of isolation the garden provided. Without multiple eyes looking at him, he let the tension leave his shoulders and breathe out a deep sigh.

While he relaxed, he observed the upkeep of the garden. It wouldn't do for the gardener to slip in his duties due to Inuyasha making more frequent visits.

So far, there was nothing wrong with what he saw.

There were no unpleasant smells or garbage in the surrounding area. The gardener left no visible tools of his trade on the grass for Inuyasha to trip over. Although Inuyasha was old enough to observe his surroundings to prevent himself from falling, the area was still well cleaned.

In between the scent of cherry blossoms, a familiar scent hit him.

Freezing in place, Sesshomaru reached up his hand, moving his fingers into position for him to attack with his whip of light. He couldn't believe what his nose told him.

It was impossible.

"Sesshomaru."

Turning around in an instant, Sesshomaru locked eyes with his father's warm honey gold eyes. He stood a distance away, smiling light, donning his full armor. There were no signs of the injuries that lead to his death.

Sesshomaru knew he was dreaming.

He had to be.

"Chichiue." Sesshomaru choked out, emotion tightening around his vocal cords.

His father rushed to his side and embraced him in his arms.

Had Sesshomaru not learned self control, he would have broken down into tears over feeling his father's warm presence. Yet, he couldn't help the one singular tear trickling down his cheek. The rumble from his father's chest alerted Sesshomaru that he smelled the salt of his tears.

A shot of embarrassment passed through Sesshomaru. The last time he cried in front of his father was when he was a pup. During a mock hunt, Sesshomaru hurt himself by falling through one of his own self made traps. Instead of making fun of him, his father described what he

Hiding his face in the crook of his father's neck, he inhaled his aroma, categorizing it in his mind. An unforgettable smell of the demon who inspired him to go beyond his capabilities.

No matter how many years passed, Sesshomaru continued to miss his father.

"You've done well, my son." Touga nuzzled the side of Sesshomaru's face, his voice heavy with affection for his eldest son. "I have watched from the other side and I am not disappointed."

"Thank you, father." Sesshomaru mumbled.

Touga gripped Sesshomaru tighter, pressing a kiss on Sesshomaru's temple.

Sesshomaru's face warmed at the contact. Years passed since his father placed such intense affection onto him. To keep his image, Sesshomaru rejected his father's gestures. It didn't take long for his father to back away in showing physical affection.

Sesshomaru couldn't take his actions back.

Yet, his father seemed to know that he needed this touch of affection. He showed the longing and love through this tight embrace. He didn't need to say his feelings. Sesshomaru knew how much his father loved him and his brother.

Touga released Sesshomaru and gave him a shoulder squeeze. "And I am not speaking of how you are handling the Western Lands."

Knowing his underlying message, Sesshomaru nodded his head. "Inuyasha is healthy and well."

Touga snorted. "And Inuyasha certainly sees you in high esteem." He nudged Sesshomaru's side. "I hear Inuyasha's comments on his amazing and deadly aniki. He yells his comments with fervor whenever my previous vassals attempt to deface you."

Sesshomaru sighed.

He thought the vassals knew better than to defame him in front of Inuyasha. As Inuyasha grew older, he became more defensive of his lord and older brother. None of their father's closest vassals were held in Inuyasha's high esteem. All of them were seen as mean people by Inuyasha.

Inuyasha started bringing his wooden practice sword around with him to chase them away from the Western Lands Castle borders. The servants and nannies reported to him of Inuyasha's attempts to defend his brother.

These actions softened the Western Lands staff even more than before.

"As much as I trusted them, they are not observant underneath what they see in front of their eyes." Touga rubbed his temples. "I would apologize in their stead, but I am not their lord anymore. I washed my hands of their service. Do know of my disappointment in their carelessness."

"I agree. You should not apologize for their inability to observe and adapt." Sesshomaru flicked his hair over his shoulder. "Their attempts to take Inuyasha are amusing to say the least."

Touga let out a chortle, almost keeling over his stomach. Inuyasha's creativity in chasing away his vassals caused immense entertainment for him and his beloved. Touga and Izayoi felt bad for Lady Kimi missing out on her nephew's mischief. He was always so well behaved whenever she made her appearance.

"Has Kimi seen-"

"Not yet. I feel she shall soon witness Inuyasha's way of defending me." Sesshomaru mused out loud as he looked beyond his father.

Lady Izayoi stood a slight distance away, giving him and his father privacy.

Upon smelling his mate, Touga straightened himself up. He looked at Sesshomaru, inquiring through his eyes. When Seshsomaru nodded, Touga turned around and motioned to his mate to make her way toward them.

Unafraid of Sesshomaru, Izayoi greeted him with the deep bow she couldn't do while pregnant. "My lord."

Without prompting, Sesshomaru slowly hugged her, keeping his hands on her upper back. He applied no pressure. The fact he touched her was something he would have never done had she continued on living. Years passed for Sesshomaru to accept Inuyasha's mother's place in their family.

Touga backed away, thrilled at the sight of his son's acceptance. For Sesshomaru to hug his mate, meant that he tolerated or even accepted Lady Izayoi as a member of their pack.

"You are doing so well with your younger brother, my lord." Izayoi kept her hands on his chest plate. Sesshomaru was glad for her forethought. He disliked having people other than his parents embrace him. "Ignore those who say otherwise."

Feeling humbled at her reassurance, Sesshomaru nodded his head. "Thank you, Lady Izayoi."

Izayoi lifted her head and looked deep into Sesshomaru's eyes. "And I thank you for reuniting me with my beloved. Thank you."

"No need for gratitude. You were meant to lay in my father's resting place." Releasing her from his arms, Sesshomaru stepped back. Izayoi covered her smile with her sleeve.

Touga reappeared beside Izayoi, beaming with pride. "We shall always overlook you and Inuyasha, my son. Have no fear."

Sesshomaru's vision went black, tearing him away from the garden.


Opening his eyes to the morning light, Sesshomaru touched the dampness on his face. Using his sleeve, he dried his face, contemplating the validity of his dream. The remnants of his father's scent and Lady Izayoi's perfume stayed in his nostrils.

Breathing through his nose, he moved onto his side. Beside him, Inuyasha snoozed away, safe and unguarded. His limbs were splayed out in a starfish position. Drool escaped his mouth, pooling on one side of his face, causing his hair to stick to his skin.

Taking a brief moment to look at Inuyasha, Sesshomaru saw a replica of their father. Inuyasha inherited far more from their father than Sesshomaru thought. The older he got, the more Inuyasha presented more of their father's features with peeks of Lady Izayoi's own beauty.

Inuyasha was fortunate in his appearance.

Sesshomaru encountered physical differences in half breeds due to incompatibility or the demon blood not blending well with humans. There were some who appeared monstrous, giving humans more fuel to repel demon and human relations.

All of a sudden, Inuyasha's legs moved as if he was running.

Amused, Sesshomaru fiddled with Inuyasha's twitching ears.